Towline hitch



ay E923.

` J. c. GElLs TOWLINE HITCH Filed Dec. 2'7.- 1921 Patented May 8, i923.

nutren stares intein tenerte,

JOHN C. GEILE, OF BENSENVLLE, ILLINOIS.

TO'WLIN'E HITCH.

Application filed December 27, 1921.

able others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

The present invention relates to devices or couplinvs for detachably anchoring or fastening the ends of ropes, cables, and the to provide a novel and improved device of that kind which is especially useful as a tow line hitch for use when towing an automobile or other vehicle, although the de vice can be used for other purposes also.

Itis the object of the invention to provide a coupling or hitch of novel construction forming a terminal loop or hook for the cable or rope to surround an axle or yother part lof the vehicle or object to which the cable or ropeis to be attached, and the lconstruction being such that the cable or rope cannot pull loose, as well as preventing vthe cable or rope from being cut or chafed. Aiiurther object is the provision of such adevicecomprising a loop or hook member 'in which the terminal portion of' the cable or rope `is disposed, said member being y adapted to be opened for placing it around `an axle or other part of the object, and l means being provided Jfor holding said Ymember closed in an efficient and simple Emanner. l

A still Jfurther object is the provision of such a device comprising` a member to which one section or part of thev loop or hook y, member is secured, and also having means Aforthe engagement of the cable or .rope for ,holding saidloop or hook member closed,

vItisalso the object ot the invention to provide such ,a device which is comparatively simpleand inexpensive in construction, aswell asfbeing thorougrhh7 practical and efiicientin use. Y

y With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will be apparent as the description proceeds,v lthe invention resides in the vlconstruction and arrangement'of parts, as V-ihereinafter described vand claimed, it being like, to other objects, and the invention aims serial No. 525,232.

the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing', whereini .Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device, looking` at one side thereof, and showing the loose section or part of the loop lor hook member swung openl in dottedlines.

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional details taken on the respective lines 2-2 and 3--3l of Fin'. 1.

F m. et is anedgeelevation ofthey device. Fing. 5 is across section on the line A5--5 o'tFig. l. i

T e loop or hoo-k member comprises the pressed steel complementary companionA sections or rparts 7 and .8 whichare oflcompound curved shape in reversed positions, to constitute a loop, when they are'swung together, and which are hingedlyor Apivotally connected, as at 9, at the bend (of thev loop, whereby said sections orlparts can be swung' apart 'for placing them around an axle or other portion of an object.v The sections 7 angl 8 are of arcuate cross-section,

being in the Jform of tubes open along their outer sides, as at 10, whereby the-,cable or rope l1 can be conveniently placed within said sections and the sections are st'iii' to retain their shape, The openings or slots l0 are preferably slightly narrower 4than the' diameter ot the cable or rope, ,whereby the cable or rope in being forced laterallyinto the .sections-7 andS, will spring,- the edges of said sections apart to embrace the cable or rope and hold it snugly in place. The cable thus extends around the loop or hookl member and lies within the same, whereby the .terminal portion ot the cable forms a loop.

1^.. member 1Q is provided, which is a casting; or forging, to which thel section 7, is secured and the terminal of ,the cable anchored, The member l2 is disposed lat the terminals ol the loop or hookmember 'opposite to the hinge or pivot 9.',and the member l2 torinedat one sidewith af, longitudinal 'socket portion orsleeve lvhaving-bothends is embedded Within a tapered plug 16 of Babbitt metal, or the like, and said plug is tit-ted in the socket or bore le trom the larger end, thereby securely anchoringY the terminal ot the cable to the member 12. rlhe section 7 of the loop member and terminal of the cable are thus securely fastened or anchored to the member 12 which forms a shank or stein for the loop or hook formed by the sections 'i' and 8, and the member shank 12 is provided with means for the detachable engagement of the cable or rope to hold the loop closed. Thus, said member 12 is formed at that side opposite to the socket portion or sleeve 18 with longitudinally spaced lateral hooks 17, 18 and 19 which are in reversed positions alternately. The hooks 17 and 19 are in the saine position and the intermediate hook 18 is in reversed position, whereby the cable when 'engaged Within the hooks extends in a zig- Zag manner across the hooks, as seen in Fig. 1. rlhe free terminal. of the section 8 has an outstanding flange 20 which moves closely -adjacent to the end hook 17 When the loop member is closed. The mouths of the hooks 17, 18 and 19 are preferably restricted in order that the cable or rope must be snapped or forced into the hooks., so as to avoid the accidental slipping of the cable from the hooks, although the cable can be readily pulled from the hooks by hand.

ln using the device, the cable 11 is Withdrawn from the hooks, Which enables the loop or hook member to be openec., by swinging the sections 7 and 8 apart. The device can thenbe hooked around the axle of a vehicle or other part of the object to which the cable is to be connect-ed, after which the sections 7 and 8 are swung togethei around the axle or other part. The cable 11 can spring over the end of the hook 17, the section 8 springing slightly, if necessary, to permit said cable to pass across the end ot said hook. rlhe cable is then engaged Within the hooks 17, 18 and 19 in succession across the opposite sides thereof to be embraced by the bills of the hooks, which Will hold the device closed around the axle or other part, The cable in laying Within the open-sided tubular sections 7 and 8, will be protected against being cut or chated and the device Will provide a sec-ure tastenino; for the cable or rope.

t is also possible to conveniently replace the cable or rope, because the same can be readily Withdrawn from thesections 7 and 8 and the plug 16 also Withdrawn from the socket 111.

Having thus described the inventionnvhat is claimed as new is 1. A terminal coupling` for a cable comprising1 loop member composed o sections connected by a hinge joint so that tie sections can be swung apart for placingthem around a portion oit an object, a cable seiiibled with said member and a meml :r seci'ired to one end ot the loop member and liaif'in` means 'for tie engagement of the cable to hol the loop member closed.

2. A terminal coupling' for a cable coinprising` a loop menioei composed of sections liar-fling a hinge joint permitting the sections to be swung apart ttor placing the member around a portion of an object, a cable extending; around seid member, and a member to Whicl'i one end ot' the loop niemand 'terminal or the cable are secured havingmeans tor the engagement ot the to bold the loop member closed.

terminal coupling for a cable co1ixa loop member composed oit sec vving)` a hinge joint connecting their.. peinitting` the sections to be swung apart 'for pia the member nround portion an object, a cable e dirp,` around said, member and a member secured to one terminal ot said loop member and having re versed hooks for the engagement of the ca ble to hy ld said loop member closed.

d. A; terminal coupling for a cable comprising a loop member composed of sec tions having, a hinge joint connection permitting` the sections to be swung apart tor placing` the member around a portion oit an. object, a cable entending3 around said mein bei, and a member homing a soclret at one side in which one terminal. oi the loop inembcr and terminal of the cable are secured, the last named member having reversed hooks at the opposite side for the engagement for the cable to hold the member closed.

it terminal couplii'igv Afor a cable compr'sing a loop member composed of secs lons connected l' a hinge joint permitting 'he sections to be swung apart Afor placing he member around a portion of an object, ble entendiA nround said member, i incmber having` a portion one side to which one terminal of said loon member and the terminal ot the cable are secured and having; mea. at the opposite .side 'tor tbe detachable connection oit the cable to hold the loop mei ber closed.

6. terminal coupling; for a cable coiw pri p a loop mcn'iber composed ot sections having h e joint to permit thc sections to be swung apart For placing' the inem bei' around a ijioriiion of an object, said member be' i'iiinied so that the cable can be fitter v'liereiin and means carried by one terminal ot said member tor receivingr cable to hold said member closed.

i". .n terminal coupling tor a cable coniprising; a loop member composed ot sections of open sided tubing in which a cable can be fitted' and having; a hinge joint permitting the sections to be swung apart tor. placing said member around a portion of an oiir AAA

object7 and means carried by one terminal of said member for engaging the cable Where it extends from the other end of said member.

S. A terminal coupling for a cable comprising a loop member for receiving the terminal portion of the cable and comprising hingedly connected sections to be swung apart for placing the member around a portion of an object, and means for holding the terminals of said member together.

9. A terminal coupling for a cable comprising a loop member composed of sections connected by a hinge joint permitting the sections to be swung apart for placing said member around a portion of an object, a cable assembled with said member and means ior holding the terminals of said member together.

10. A terminal coupling for a cable comprising a loop member composed of open sided tubing in which the terminal portion of cable can be fitted, said member having ing its terminal portion extending around y and fitted within said member, and a member to Which one termina-l of the loopmember and terminal of the cable are secured,l

the other terminal of the loop member and the second named member being brought adjacent to one another when the loop member is closed, and the second named member having means for the engagement of the cable beyond the second named terminal of the loop member when said `loop member isclosed. p

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN C. GEILS. 

